Northern Lights to be visible over Ireland as a ‘severe’ geomagnetic storm slams into earth

The Northern Lights could return for another dazzling display over Ireland tonight.

Stargazers in the north were treated to spectacular views of the event in May and August this year.

For those who missed the phenomenon the second time around there is likely to be a third and even fourth chance to catch a glimpse.

The Met Office is predicting a strong chance of the aurora being visible over the next two nights as a ‘severe’ geomagnetic storm slams into earth.

Foreign national arrested by gardaí over murder of Mary Ward in Belfast

Residents tell of shock as PSNI attend scene of sudden death of child in west Belfast

The Met Office said: “A coronal mass ejection from the sun is earth bound and whilst there’s some uncertainty on its arrival time, sightings of the aurora are likely in northern areas.”

The lights are predicted to be strongest for stargazers at around 10pm on Thursday and between 10pm and 11pm on Friday.

The lights, also known as aurora borealis, are vibrant light displays that occur in the sky and are most active during the Equinox and Solstice in March, April, September and October.

You will, however, need to get away from our towns and cities to see the lights.

A spokesperson from the Met Office had this advice for those eager to catch a glimpse.

“Ideally, the lights will be best viewed away from any light pollution, in remote areas, facing the northern horizon - north facing coasts produce some of the best viewing locations, ”they said.

“The best conditions to view the lights are when the sky is dark and clear of any clouds. Cloud cover ultimately blocks the view of the light,”

A largely dry and clear night is predicted increasing the chance of seeing the lights.

Temperatures are also expected to dip to below 4C overnight with people out to grab a sight of the lights advised to wrap up warm.